BEAR program: group therapy combining trauma skills and empowerment self-defense for women with suicidal thoughts
A Pilot Study of the Building Empowerment and Resilience Program for Suicidal Ideation
This program tests whether a 12-week group combining trauma-focused skills, psychoeducation, and empowerment self-defense helps women with past interpersonal trauma who currently have suicidal thoughts.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Stanford University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Stanford, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT07346638 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The Building Empowerment and Resilience (BEAR) program is a 12-week, in-person group intervention for women with histories of interpersonal trauma and current suicidal ideation. It integrates psychological skills training, psychoeducation about trauma and gender-based violence, and physical empowerment self-defense within a therapeutic group process. This trial is designed to test feasibility of recruiting and delivering the BEAR group and to measure changes in self-efficacy and suicidal ideation. Sessions are held at Stanford University and require participants to commit to weekly attendance.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Women aged 18–75 with a history of interpersonal trauma (physical, sexual, or emotional) who currently experience suicidal thinking and can attend 12 weekly in-person group sessions are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Individuals with acute psychiatric instability, active significant substance abuse, serious medical conditions preventing safe participation, a history of assaultive behavior, or no current suicidal ideation are unlikely to be appropriate or to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could increase survivors' self-efficacy, reduce suicidal thoughts, and lower risk of future victimization.
How similar studies have performed: Empowerment self-defense programs and trauma-focused groups have shown benefits—reducing assault risk and improving PTSD symptoms and self-efficacy—but combining ESD with a suicide-focused trauma group is a newer approach with limited direct evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Women ages 18-75 * History of physical, sexual, and/or sexual emotional violence, with subsequent interpersonal or psychological distress (e.g., depression or anxiety) related to this history. * Current suicidal thinking Exclusion Criteria: * Active, significant substance abuse, which could interfere with participation * Significant medical conditions that would preclude safe participation in the study * No history of interpersonal trauma * Acute psychiatric instability * History of assaultive behavior or is judged to be a potential risk to assault others. * No current suicidal ideation or behaviors * Unable to commit to the group for 12 weeks in-person
Where this trial is running
Stanford, California
- Stanford University School of Medicine — Stanford, California, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jennifer Keller, PhD — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Clinical Research Coordinator
- Email: bearstudy@stanford.edu
- Phone: 650-724-7184
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.